Takia Starks (Texas A&M) was named Phillips 66 Big 12 Women’s Basketball Player of the Week while Kierra Mallard (Texas Tech) was selected Freshman of the Week by a media voting panel for games of Dec. 22-Jan. 4. Starks picked up her second career weekly honor while Mallard was recognized for the first time.

Phillips 66 Big 12 Player of the WeekTakia Starks, Texas A&M, G, Sr, Houston, TexasTakia Starks led No. 3 Texas A&M to a 2-0 record over the holiday break to extend the Aggies’ school-record start to 12-0 on the season, matching their longest win streak in program history. The senior guard knocked down a season-high 24 points paired with five rebounds and five assists in an 83-51 win over No. 25 New Mexico on Dec. 30. It was the team’s third victory over a Top 25 opponent this season. Three days later, Starks paced the Aggies with a game-high 22 points, five rebounds and a career-high six steals versus 2008 NCAA Sweet 16 participant George Washington in a 78-59 win. The Houston, Texas, native averaged a team-leading 23.0 points, 4.5 steals, 5.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists against the Lobos and Colonials combined. Starks also connected on 58.3 percent (7-of-11) of her shots from the three-point line. She is currently on a five-game double-digit scoring streak including three consecutive 20-point outings for only the third time in her career.

Phillips 66 Big 12 Freshman of the WeekKierra Mallard, Texas Tech, C, Dallas, TexasKierra Mallard averaged a double-double with 14.5 points and 12 rebounds in Texas Tech’s wins over UCLA and Arkansas last week. The Dallas, Texas, native had 11 points, eight rebounds, two steals and an assist against UCLA while shooting 55.6 percent (5-of-9) from the field. Mallard then recorded her first career double-double as she had career highs of 18 points, 16 rebounds and four blocks in the victory over Arkansas. She shot 60 percent (6-10) from the field and 85.7 (6-7) percent from the free throw line. Mallard has scored in double figures in the last four games and six times this season.